I am looking for the best 7 seat 4x4 option for a newbie...

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 20:14

ThreadID: 99899 Views:3513 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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Aaron H2

I'm looking into purchasing a 7 seat 4x4, so my family and I can go camping, adventuring, or whatever together. I have always had an interest in camping and 4 wheel driving, but have never owned a 4x4 and know little t9 nothing about them. So I thought Iqwould ask for some advice... I want a solid diesel option, for the ecobomy and general strength/pulling power... Apart from that and a preference for manual as auto seems like less control and input into the experience, I'm open to any advice. So bottom line, what is the best 7 seat 4x4 for a 4x4 newbie?

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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 20:51

Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 20:51

Hi Aaron

At the end of the day, it is going to be your hard earned money that you will be parting with.

You will find many options available, so choose what you want and not what a salesman will want to sell you.

Look at all the dealers and price around, as there will be very big variations in price from dealer to dealer.

My nephew is waiting for a new 200 Series Cruiser and the pricing variation was unreal, and his best deal at the end of the day was at our local Toyota dealer ($10,000 cheaper in Clare compared to the dearest dealer in Adelaide), which shows just what dealers will do or not do to get your business.

If size and money is not an issue, the 200 Series are a very nice vehicle. If you want something cheaper, then either the Prado or Pajero are both very good reliable vehicles.

Happy Hunting.

Cheers

Stephen

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AnswerID: 502123

Reply By: Bazooka - Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 23:17

Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 23:17

Aaron there was a similar thread on here recently. One of the problems if you're planning to use 6 or 7 seats will be where are you going to put your camping gear, food and spares?

AnswerID: 502131

Follow Up By: Aaron H2 - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 12:43

Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 12:43

G'day bazooka. Thanx for your response. In terms of space for gear and spares and supplies, I'm looking at trailer options as we have 1 dirtbile and looking at a 2nd later in the year so something that can take a couple of bikes, with some storage compartments for the extra load space. We are looking at having 2 eventually, but for now we have an xr6 turbo (if anyone interested in swapping something of comparable value? You know where to reach me lol) so having the 7 seats is good for all getting away together.

FollowupID: 779183

Reply By: escapesilv - Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 05:55

Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 05:55

Hi Aaron

When having a look, the Mitsubishi Challenger (2009 onwards) is a fantastic option, I have the 7 Seven seater and have made great use of the option, just remember that when you have the 7 seats up, you do not have much boot space.

Having said that, now a days there is no specially good or bad option, its just what suits you, your budget and your family need.

Good luck Rob

AnswerID: 502137

Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 13:10

Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 13:10

A lot of 4x4s these days have automatic gearboxes. There is nothing wrong with them although there maybe slightly less engine braking.

AnswerID: 502149

Reply By: Cyberess - Saturday, Jan 12, 2013 at 03:21

Saturday, Jan 12, 2013 at 03:21

How large are the people in you family? -- Young kids, baby seats etc, or olders kids, teenagers etc

I had a R51 Pathfinder -- it was quite good -- but I reckon most 4WD would be cramped with 7 people in them -- The only thing I can think of is a Mitsubishi Delica

Check out the forum for Mitsubishi Delicas
http://www.delicaclub.com/

Cheers

AnswerID: 502315

Follow Up By: Aaron H2 - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 12:53

Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 12:53

Hey cyberess. I have 2 teens, 16 and 17, and 3 kids under the age of 9, plus my partner and myself. Myself and my son at both over 6'3" tall, my step son is a solid maori/cook islander, so between us all we need to have some reasonable space... I figure teens in the back seat with booster between them and 2 youngsters in the foldouts at the back....

As for the delica, i have seen them, and always thought they looked a bit of a joke.. are they any good? I've never heard anyone mentioning them as a viable 4x4. To me they always look like they would roll on a light slope...

FollowupID: 779184

Follow Up By: Cyberess - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 13:37

Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 13:37

You do have a large family -- like is going to get interesting particularly when the kids want to take friends.

Once again I do suggest you sign up and have a look at http://www.delicaclub.com/ as you will hear both good and the bad things from that forum on the Mitsubishi Delicas. I have read the forums and have seen the Delicas offroad and they do seem to go O.K. -- Some good points they do run Mitsubishi Pajero running gear which means there is plenty of after market gear for them.

FollowupID: 779188

Follow Up By: Aaron H2 - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 17:20

Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 17:20

Thanx for that. I will definitely look into that as an option. We will eventually have 2 simply cos we do have such q big family, and the older ones especially will want to bring friends so we will need the extra space. Until then, the family will just have to do lol.

FollowupID: 779223

Reply By: garrycol - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 14:06

Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 14:06

You might want to have a look at the Discovery 3 or 4. Smaller on the outside than a 200 series but larger on the inside. You might find a manual early D3 but most will be auto. The auto has a torque converter that locks up when offroad when going downhill so full engine braking is available - no different to manual cars.

Garry

AnswerID: 502691